This Day In History 1 Shevat/January 17

In 2489/1272 B.C.E, “It was in the 40th year, in the 11th month, on the first of the month, that Moshe spoke to the children of Israel, etc.” (Devarim 1:3) On this day Moshe Rabbeinu began the recital of Mishneh Torah that continued until the 7th of Adar.

Shaul Hamelech and his sons were killed in battle at Gilboa.

Yahrtzeiten

5409/1649, Harav Yitzchak Shapiro, zt”l, the Megaleh Amukos of Cracow

5543/1783, Harav Shlomo Lichtenstein, zt”l, mechaber of Chochmas Shlomo

5639/1879, Harav Moshe Schick, zt”l, the Maharam Schick

5757/1997, Harav Avraham Yehudah Farbstein, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivah,Yeshivas Chevron

5762/2002, Harav Binyamin Rabinowitz, zt”l, of the Eidah Hachareidis

5572/1812, Harav Nosson Nota Broide of Chelem, Zy”a, the Neta Shashuim

Harav Nosson Nota Broide’s father was Harav Avraham, son of Harav Aharon, zt”l, the mechaber of Even Tekumah on the Shulchan Aruch. The family was descended from Harav Shaul Wohl, zt”l, and other Gedolim.

Rav Nosson Nota was a Chassid of the Rebbe Reb Baruch of Mezhibuzh, the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and the Chozeh of Lublin, zechusam yagein aleinu. Most notable was his connection with Rabbo Muvhak, Harav Mordechai of Neshchiz, zy”a.

Initially, Rav Nosson Nota hid his exalted ways, serving as a simple melamed. He tutored the two sons of a tax official who lived near Voldova who were weak students, working hard to instill in them Torah and yiras Shamayim. As part of his contract with his employer, who gave him lodging in his home, he was asked to watch over the forests at night to prevent robberies. Rav Nosson Nota was pleased with this arrangement; it would give him time to himself to serve Hashem.

On his first night out in the woods, thieves began chopping down trees when they heard cries and moans. They decided to seek out the source.

Spotting a faint light, they followed it until they reached a small cave; there on the ground, the melamed Rav Nosson Nota was bent over, ashes on his head and tears streaming down his cheeks, mourning churban haBayis and galus haShechinah. Awestruck, the thieves fled the forest.

When word of this incident reached his employer, he investigated the ways of Rav Nosson Nota and discovered that he was a tzaddik nistar, who had managed until then to keep his secret to himself.

Rav Nosson Nota traveled to his Rebbe, Harav Mordechai of Neshchiz, who advised him to reveal himself. Rav Nosson Nota returned to Voldova and established his court there. However, even after becoming Rebbe, Rav Nosson Nota continued to journey to other Rebbes.

Later, he moved to Chelem upon that kehillah’s request, which is why he is known as Reb Nota Chelemer.

On his last Shabbos, Parashas Va’eira/Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5572/1812, before reciting Kiddush, while holding the becher in his hand, Rav Nosson Nota related a story to his Chassidim. When he finished the story the becher fell from his hand, and his neshamah ascended to its Heavenly place.

Rav Nosson Nota’s sons were Harav Aharon and Harav Tzvi. His son-in-law was Harav Tzvi, the youngest son of his Rebbe, the Chozeh.

Harav Nechemiah, grandson of Rav Nosson Nota, published his divrei Torah under the name Neta Shaashuim.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Jan. 17

In 1773, Captain Cook’s Resolution became the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle.

In 1917, Denmark ceded the Virgin Islands to the United States for $25 million.

In 1945, Soviet and Polish forces liberated Warsaw during World War II; Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, credited with saving tens of thousands of Jews, disappeared in Hungary while in Soviet custody.

In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his farewell address in which he warned against “the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.”